He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:6)

Jacob’s faith in God did not come automatically; it was not inherited. In him we discover that every generation must believe in God for themselves. A godly heritage does not guarantee a godly life. In running for his life, Jacob took matters into his own hands to protect himself, rather than trust God. Of course, his life was built on greed and deception, as seen in his duping his brother Esau out of the inheritance. The irony was that God had pre-determined Jacob to be the child of promise (Genesis 25:23, Malachi 1:2-3, Romans 9:10-13). Sin does not lead to trusting God. So Jacob fled for his life in fear of Esau’s revenge.

After God reiterated the Abrahamic promise to Jacob, the fleeing young man made a vow:

“If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, and I return to my father’s house in safety, then the LORD will be my God.” (Gen 28:20–21)

During his time away, he came under the influence of “foreign gods” (Gen 35:4). But upon returning to the land of Canaan some 20 years later, he rid his household of all foreign idols and acknowledged God:

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” (Gen 35:2–3)

Then God appeared again to him and again rehearsed His promise made earlier:

“Your name is Jacob; you shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name … I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]… a nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come forth from you. The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and I will give the land to your descendants after you.” (Gen 35:10–12)

Now as Moses was about to lead God’s people back to the Promised Land, he was reminded that the God of Jacob keeps His promises.

Lord, thank You for Your promise never to leave me or forsake me (Heb 13:5).